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Introduction / History

The Agob are a small people group (population 1,440), located by the Pahoturi River in Papua New Guinea's Western Province. This language group includes 13 villages that are mostly areas of savannah or lowland forest with hot, humid climates. The rainfall in the area is approximately 1,500mm per year, which is low compared to most of Papua New Guinea.

As gardeners and hunter-gatherers, the Agob make their income off the vegetables and meat that they sell at market. However, they also have a rubber plantation and make various handcrafts, such as baskets, fishnets, spears, and arrows. They live in traditional style houses and make most of their crafts out of traditional materials as well. Their diet consists mainly of taro root and sago, but they also eat deer, wallaby, fish, and cassowary.

Traditional art forms are still practiced, such as sing-sings, and storytelling. Bride prices and sister exchanges are made for marriages. Magic is still practiced for healing, rain, wind, and crop fertility.

They continue to speak the Agob language with the younger generation. Several times Agob individuals have requested assistance with language development.

Belief in Christianity is widespread in the area and many Agob people are involved in local churches. Although some of the Agog are strong Christians, the majority are Christian in name only. Besides the Seventh Day Adventists and the United Church of Papua New Guinea, other churches among the Abog are the Christian Life Centre and the New Apostolic Church. Some have repeatedly requested translation agencies assistance with Scripture translation.